Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for cell barring performed by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: determining whether system information block type 1 (SIB 1 ) is acquired from a cell; considering the cell as barred, if the acquiring of the SIB 1 fails; determining whether the cell is a licensed cell or an unlicensed cell; and excluding the cell and other cells on a same frequency as the cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for a pre-defined period, if the cell is a licensed cell and cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically addressing cell barring mechanisms in User Equipment (UE) devices. The problem solved is ensuring efficient cell selection and reselection by UEs when system information acquisition fails, particularly in licensed and unlicensed spectrum scenarios. The method involves a UE determining whether it has successfully acquired System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) from a cell. If SIB1 acquisition fails, the UE treats the cell as barred. The UE then identifies whether the cell operates in a licensed or unlicensed spectrum. If the cell is licensed and the UE is restricted from selecting or reselecting to intra-frequency cells, the UE excludes this cell and all other cells on the same frequency from consideration for cell selection or reselection for a predefined duration. This prevents repeated attempts to access barred cells, conserving UE resources and improving network efficiency. The approach ensures compliance with network policies while optimizing UE behavior in dynamic wireless environments.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: considering the other cells as candidates for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if the cell is a licensed cell and cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is allowed.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: excluding the cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if the cell is an unlicensed cell.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: excluding the other cells as candidates for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed and the cell belongs to a public land mobile network (PLMN) equivalent to a registered PLMN.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of whether the SIB 1 is acquired comprises determining whether the SIB 1 is received while a timer for cell selection or reselection is running in an idle mode, an inactive mode or a connected mode.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: acquiring a master information block (MIB) from the cell, wherein a parameter intraFreqReselection included in the MIB indicates whether cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is allowed.
7. A method for cell barring performed by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: determining whether a barred cell is a licensed cell or an unlicensed cell; determining whether the barred cell belongs to a public land mobile network (PLMN) equivalent to a registered PLMN; and excluding cells on a same frequency as the barred cell as candidates for cell selection or reselection for a pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed, the barred cell is an unlicensed cell and the barred cell belongs to a PLMN equivalent to a registered PLMN.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: excluding the barred cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed, the barred cell is unlicensed cell and the barred cell does not belong to the PLMN equivalent to the registered PLMN.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: excluding the cells on the same frequency as the cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed and the barred cell is a licensed cell.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: acquiring, master information block (MIB) from the barred cell, wherein parameter intraFreqReselection included in the MIB indicates whether cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is allowed, and wherein parameter cellBarred included in the MIB indicates barring of the barred cell.
11. A User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising: a transceiver; at least one memory storing instructions for cell barring; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: determine whether system information block type 1 (SIB 1 ) is acquired from a cell; consider the cell as barred, if the acquiring of the SIB 1 fails; determine whether the cell is a licensed cell or an unlicensed cell; and exclude the cell and other cells on a same frequency as the cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for a pre-defined period, if the cell is a licensed cell and cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed.
In wireless communication systems, User Equipment (UE) devices must efficiently manage cell selection and reselection processes to maintain connectivity. A key challenge is handling scenarios where system information, such as System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1), cannot be acquired from a cell, which may indicate the cell is barred or unavailable. This can disrupt service continuity, especially in environments with licensed and unlicensed spectrum cells. A UE device includes a transceiver, memory storing cell barring instructions, and a processor. The processor determines whether SIB1 is successfully acquired from a cell. If SIB1 acquisition fails, the cell is considered barred. The processor then identifies whether the cell operates in a licensed or unlicensed spectrum. If the cell is licensed and the UE is restricted from selecting or reselecting to intra-frequency cells (cells on the same frequency), the UE excludes this cell and all other intra-frequency cells from consideration for cell selection or reselection for a predefined period. This prevents repeated attempts to access barred or unavailable cells, optimizing network resource usage and improving UE efficiency. The solution ensures reliable connectivity by dynamically adjusting cell selection criteria based on spectrum type and system information availability.
12. The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor further configured to: consider the other cells as candidates for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if the cell is a licensed cell and cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is allowed.
13. The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor further configured to: exclude the cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if the cell is an unlicensed cell.
14. The UE of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processor further configured to: exclude the other cells as candidates for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed and the cell belongs to a public land mobile network (PLMN) equivalent to a registered PLMN.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a user equipment (UE) device that improves cell selection and reselection processes. The problem addressed is inefficient or incorrect cell selection when a UE is restricted from selecting intra-frequency cells but must still avoid certain cells that belong to a public land mobile network (PLMN) equivalent to its registered PLMN. The UE includes at least one processor configured to determine whether cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is restricted. If restricted, the processor excludes other cells as candidates for selection or reselection for a predefined period. This exclusion applies specifically to cells that belong to a PLMN equivalent to the UE's registered PLMN. The exclusion mechanism ensures the UE does not attempt to select or reselect these cells, even if they are otherwise valid candidates, thereby preventing unnecessary signaling and improving network efficiency. The processor may also determine whether the UE is in a state where intra-frequency cell selection or reselection is allowed. If allowed, the exclusion mechanism is not applied, and the UE proceeds with normal cell selection or reselection procedures. This selective exclusion helps maintain optimal network performance while adhering to PLMN restrictions. The predefined period for exclusion can be dynamically adjusted based on network conditions or operator policies.
15. The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor configured to determine whether the SIB 1 is received while a timer for cell selection or reselection is running in an idle mode, an inactive mode or a connected mode.
16. The UE of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor configured to: acquire a master information block (MIB) from the cell, and wherein a parameter intraFreqReselection included in the MIB indicates whether cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is allowed.
17. A User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE comprising: a transceiver; at least one memory storing instructions for cell barring; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: determine whether a barred cell is a licensed cell or an unlicensed cell; determine whether the barred cell belongs to a public land mobile network (PLMN) equivalent to a registered PLMN; and exclude cells on a same frequency as the barred cell as candidates for cell selection or reselection for a pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed, the barred cell is an unlicensed cell and the barred cell belongs to a PLMN equivalent to a registered PLMN.
18. The UE of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor further configured to: exclude the barred cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed, the barred cell is unlicensed cell and the barred cell does not belong to the PLMN equivalent to the registered PLMN.
19. The UE of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor further configured to: exclude the cells on the same frequency as the cell as a candidate for cell selection or reselection for the pre-defined period, if cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is not allowed and the barred cell is a licensed cell.
20. The UE of claim 17 , wherein the at least one processor further configured to: acquire master information block (MIB) from the barred cell, wherein parameter intraFreqReselection included in the MIB indicates whether cell selection or reselection to intra-frequency cells is allowed, and wherein parameter cellBarred included in the MIB indicates barring of the barred cell.
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February 2, 2021
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